Time Signature I must destroy you...

Genre: thrash metal

With a band called Evil Army, things can only be good. And they are. Especially if you like fierce old school thrash metal with musical references to both American and German 80s thrash.

The three tracks on Evil Army's "I, Commander" EP are surprisingly varied, I think, but they common focal point is aggression and an in-yer-face thrash-till-death attitude. I am sure that all three song titles - namely 'I, Commander', 'Ashes of the Nuclear Fire', and 'I Must Destroy you' - are tongue-in-cheek as is the band's image, but that does not necessarily mean that the music has to suck. Which it doesn't. I actually think that we are dealing with some quality thrash metal here - albeit wrapped in a (probably deliberate) lo-fi production which has more in common with a late 80s/early 90s demo tape than a 2013 release.

The title track is a raging speed-thrash affair which reminds me more of the raw and dirty Teutonic take on thrash associated with early Sodom than with American thrash. 'Ashes of the Nuclear Fire' is more of a crossover-track featuring crusty d-beats and a nice mid-tempo mosh-friendly bridge. 'I Must Destroy You' is probably the fastest track on the EP and is characterized by a level of aggression that suits the title perfectly.

Musically, there is nothing wrong with this EP - some might say that the songs are too formulaic, but I don't think Evil Army's main mission is to be innovative. Their mission is to kick ass. Younger listeners might not like the lo-fi production, but those of us who were around in the day of demo tapes will probably feel nostalgic when hearing the sounds of a time forgotten.

Fans of old school thrash should check out "I, Commander" - it delivers the goods like a rail gun delivers bullets.